Powell Island facts for kids
 Powell Island
Location in Antarctica
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Antarctica |
| Coordinates | 60°40′59″S 45°01′59″W / 60.683°S 45.033°W |
| Archipelago | South Orkney Islands |
| Length | 13 km (8.1 mi) |
| Width | 4 km (2.5 mi) |
| Administration | |
| Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Powell Island is a long, narrow island in Antarctica. It is about 13 km (8.1 mi) long and 4 km (2.5 mi) wide. This island is located in the middle of the South Orkney Islands. It lies between Coronation Island and Laurie Island. The southern part of Powell Island is about 7 km east of Coronation Island. It sits between two narrow waterways called Lewthwaite Strait and Washington Strait.
Discovering Powell Island
Powell Island was found in December 1821. Two captains, George Powell and Nathaniel Palmer, were sailing together. Captain Powell made a map in 1822 that showed the island, but he did not name it yet. Later, in 1839, the British Admiralty (a government department for the navy) officially named the island after Captain Powell.
Amazing Birds of Powell Island
A special part of southern Powell Island is very important for birds. This area includes nearby islands like Christoffersen, Fredriksen, Michelsen, and Grey Islands. It covers a huge area of about 2,688 hectares (that's like 6,642 football fields!).
This whole area is called an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International. This means it's a crucial place for many seabirds to live and have their babies. You can find many colonies of seabirds and penguins here. The boundaries of this important bird area are set by something called Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) 111. This is a special rule that helps protect the wildlife and environment in this part of Antarctica.
